Chapter 16
Chapter 16
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 16
Chapter Title: Forum Frenzy and Blood Hunt
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Hunter Forum.
The world's largest online hub for awakeners everywhere.
No worries about government censorship or post tracing meant more people flocked here than to their local communities.
Koreans were no exception, and one topic dominated the Korean board.
Koreans were already half-convinced that Do-hyun was Genocider.
Then, amid the buzz.
The board exploded.
Koreans sent cheers and worried glances toward the Washington incident.
If you picked Korea's most popular figure right now, it'd be Genocider.
Thanks to Genocider, Korea had lanced every last boil and been reborn.
Mindful of that popularity, voices in politics were calling to withdraw the warrant on Genocider and award him a medal instead.
And so.
Voices cheering and fretting over Genocider—the villain greater than any hero—popped up all over the Korean board.
Meanwhile, at that time.
Do-hyun smirked as he scrolled through the posts about himself on Hunter Forum.
He hadn't exactly hidden it carefully, so it was only natural they'd guess.
'Not much chatter outside the Korean board yet.'
Strictly speaking, Do-hyun was still a nobody in America.
Sure, those in the know knew, but in terms of public fame, that is.
He'd stopped the Pearl Harbor disaster last time, but plenty of everyday Americans still didn't know him.
'Once Washington wraps up, the whole country will know my name.'
He planned to cause quite the uproar.
"We're here."
The taxi pulled up to BOUR-STEAKHOUSE, the top-tier restaurant on the street beside the White House.
'...Steak again.'
No helping it.
Washington had that saying "steak politics"—politicians and tycoons always met at steakhouses.
BOUR-STEAKHOUSE was among the absolute best in the city.
Per person, the bill easily hit millions in won.
Not just for the superior taste, but to flaunt wealth and power.
'Steak's still steak.'
Seeing the premium cut served sizzling on the hot plate with butter made Do-hyun's stomach churn.
And it wasn't just the food...
The presence twisting his gut even more smiled at him from across the table.
"How's the taste? I specially asked the chef to take care. We can enjoy fine meals like this in peace thanks to heroes like you, Kim."
A subtle charisma wafted from him.
Eyes sharp even in old age.
A sturdy frame meticulously maintained.
Senator Parks himself.
Leader of the Labor Party and one of Washington's top power brokers alongside the Speaker.
"No need for that. It's thanks to leaders like you steering America."
"Haha. As refined as the rumors say. Thrilled to have a hero like you here."
"We've gilded the lily enough. Let's get to the point."
"!!"
"You're here to talk about them, right?"
Parks's face stiffened briefly.
But as a political heavyweight, he kept his cool and continued smoothly.
"Kim, I suspect you're Genocider."
"Hmm...?"
"No need to deny it. This isn't about grilling you on that. I don't care. Just... leave the High Ones alone."
The High Ones.
The term outing Parks as a vampire lackey.
"They're beings far superior to us humans. They'll guide humanity to a greater blessing. A bit of chaos is just growing pains."
"Is your youth one of those great blessings they bestowed?"
"!!"
The smile vanished completely from Parks's face.
Do-hyun, meanwhile, flashed a twisted grin.
Parks was over 70, yet looked barely 50.
He hadn't always. Photos from a year ago showed a face full of deep wrinkles.
"Hungary, was it? Some noble bathed in virgins' blood to stay young. Seeing your refreshed face brings that tale to mind, but must be my mistake. Legends are just legends, after all."
Do-hyun said it laughing like a joke, but Parks showed no reaction.
Just glared fiercely.
"At least that Hungarian noble had some conscience. Bathed in adult virgins' blood, they say. If you're after youth, kids' blood would've been more effective, right?"
"...Why bring that up?"
"Haha, just kidding. Meant to make you smile. No way a esteemed senator like you would stoop to that, right? Hahaha."
Do-hyun's chilling laugh echoed in the private room seating just the two.
Parks's eyes now burned with outright killing intent.
"I gave you a chance. You'll regret it, kid."
Do-hyun kept smiling.
Did Parks know what Do-hyun was thinking right now?
'Ahh. That guy's looking tasty.'
Truth be told, Do-hyun didn't feel rage at villains' evil deeds.
He was numb to it.
Now, it even fueled his Devourer of Evil Destruction appetite, making villains seem almost cute.
But one thing.
One crime Do-hyun reacted sharply to—and Parks was committing it now.
Tied to his personal history.
Anyway.
"Looking forward to it."
Do-hyun speared his steak and took a bite. Sipped some red wine.
Premium steak and wine, both absurdly priced, but none suited his taste.
No matter.
A far tastier meal sat right in front of him.
"Do make it entertaining."
Do-hyun deliberately waited a few more days.
True to his threat, invitations to meet dried up completely.
'Time to rest.'
No summons meant freedom from steak too!
He lounged in his hotel, ordering Korean food via delivery apps—
'Ha... Is this Korean food for real?'
Not a single one tasted right!
Do-hyun wasn't picky. Far from it.
He'd be thrilled with basic, proper Korean fare.
'Damn. Why do taco joints even offer Korean?'
He seriously pondered a 10-hour round trip to New York's Koreatown.
That's when Super Force's Smith Edward visited with a grim face.
"Senator Parks is pressuring the FBI to arrest you."
"On what grounds?"
"Those recent serial killings?"
"Got nothing to do with me."
"...Dunno about Korea, but America's justice system isn't always righteous."
The myth of fair American law was just that—a myth.
'No wealth, no innocence; all the wealth, no guilt' hit hard here too.
Especially the powerless wrongly convicted.
"But don't worry too much. You're a benefactor and hero to our military. We won't let injustice befall you."
Do-hyun wasn't worried anyway, Smith or no.
"Could you look into who Senator Parks has been contacting?"
"Sure. Easy enough."
Parks couldn't possibly imagine.
That his schemes would gift Do-hyun a 'present'.
'I'm not suffering through ill-tasting steak in Washington just to clean up vampire trash.'
To repeat: Do-hyun's goal wasn't topping America's hunter ranks or playing justice's apostle.
Absolute dominion over America.
He came to Washington for something toward that end.
After Smith left, Do-hyun rummaged delivery apps more, then got pissed.
No decent Korean left to try.
Time to wrap up Washington.
That night.
A minor stir hit Washington D.C.
"Blackout? Suddenly?"
"System error at Capitol Facility."
"Recovery time?"
"By morning."
"Security systems' power okay?"
"Yes. Separate grid, so fine. Hospitals and key facilities too."
Blackouts were common in America.
D.C. went dark, but at 11 p.m., not peak hours.
"Just confirm recovery by morning."
The DHS duty officer on D.C. detail shrugged it off, and everyone treated it casually.
"Can't see a damn thing. Clouds heavy too, no moonlight. Could kill someone and no one'd know."
"If you die wandering now, it's natural causes. Don't sweat it."
But in that deep darkness.
Something unimaginable unfolded.
"S-save...!"
Thwack!
"Heh, five down."
"G-get away! You monster!!"
Slash!
"La la, six down."
Stab!
"Yawn, seven down."
That's right.
Tonight, Do-hyun planned to wipe out every vampire lurking in Washington.
Hiding anywhere was pointless.
He could sniff them all out with Blood Magic.
"Hide tight, don't let your hair show. If caught, you're dead~?"
Do-hyun's hummed nursery rhyme echoed through blackout-shrouded Washington D.C.
And after taking out the ninth vampire.
Do-hyun grinned darkly.
"Found you, my kitty."
Atop the tower rising from Dupont Circle.
A vampire in the form of a little girl glared down at Do-hyun.
An aura leagues beyond the others.
The noble vampire behind every Washington scheme.
"How dare a inferior subhuman lesser than livestock...!"